David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A number of issues arise. There were many questions and comments and I will probably need an hour, or perhaps more, to answer all of them.

On direct provision, most countries in the world face policy challenges posed by undocumented migrants. There is no doubt about that. We must try to do what is best for our country and for Irish citizens abroad. As I stated, there have been a number of schemes under which people have been regularised here. There have been at least four. We can send the relevant information to the secretariat rather than going through it now. It is quite detailed.

As already stated , if humanitarian cases are brought to our attention, they will certainly be examined in a fair way. There is no blanket amnesty. That is out; we are not doing that. We will certainly consider applications on a case-by-case basis.

On the issue of direct provision, I have visited most of the direct provision centres at this stage. I have not gone to all of them yet. I have visited a few twice. I will give figures to indicate the current position. At the end of November this year, there were 4,354 people residing in the 34 State-provided accommodation centres throughout the country. This number comprises 3,256 adults and 1,098 children. There were 1,194 adult females and 2,062 adult males. There were 426 children aged between zero and four years, 514 between five and 12, and 154 between 13 and 17. It is quite interesting that a total of 1,955 people left the system of State-provided accommodation between January and the end of November 2016. In the same period, 1,528 people entered the system. Therefore, there is movement of people through the accommodation centres all the time.

I was interested in the duration of stay. A total of 1,690 people, or 38%, were in direct provision for under 12 months. Over 1,000 people were in direct provision for between one and two years. Therefore, 63% of people were in direct provision for under two years. Five hundred and eight people were in accommodation for between two and three years, 283 people for between three and four years, 185 for between four and five years, 150 for between five and six years, 98 for between six and seven years, and 358 for seven years plus. Many people in the system for more than five years have actually been given some form of status here. There are a number of people involved in legal challenges. Obviously, we cannot make any decision until the courts make a decision on those cases. At least 362 children under the age of ten left the State-provided accommodation system in the 12 months from 1 December 2015 to 30 November 2016.

An issue on which Senators and Deputies might be able to help concerns the 463 persons with some form of status residing in State-provided accommodation centres at present. We are having difficulty in finding accommodation for them. Nobody is told he or she has to go when accorded status. The Reception and Integration Agency will look after them and provide accommodation.

The point about direct provision is that education, health, medical services, food, heat and light are all supplied. That is why it is called direct provision. Counselling is provided in some instances. As Deputies Wallace and Clare Daly said, some of the immigrants have been through fairly traumatic experiences. Counselling and psychiatric and health services are all provided. As one can see from the figures, there is a movement of people through the centres all the time. We are anxious to move people out.

On Senator Conway's question about resettlement, a resettlement worker is provided. These workers support refugees when they move into accommodation. I have visited people who have been resettled in houses to listen to what they have to say. I sat down to listen to what issues they had to raise. In the main, they are quite happy when resettled in houses.

We are launching a community integration fund in the new year. We are asking communities around the country to put forward ideas on how to integrate asylum seekers or refugees. If a community has an idea, it can apply for funding. Approximately €500,000 is available for that fund. It will be launched in January. We are hoping to spread the money across the country using NGOs, etc., in communities that want to do something to help integrate people and make them feel welcome. One can house people but sometimes they can feel isolated if they do not know their neighbours. I have learned from my visits that if people get to know each other and talk to each other, integration occurs and concerns diminish quickly. It is hoped the fund will continue to be available year in, year out. I ask my colleagues to spread the word among their communities that the fund will be launched in January.